Hundreds of the San Diego region’s most giving and influential people will join together on the deck of the USS Midway Museum in September to support the National University Foundation, an initiative that raises funds to help traditionally underserved students get the higher education they need to improve their lives and make important contributions to their communities.
At the same time, the event will celebrate National University’s Humanitarians of the Year. NU will honor Jeanne McAlister, the founder of the McAlister Institute, who for more than 40 years has shined as a beacon of hope for people recovering from addiction in the San Diego region. In addition, community leader and former Chargers football great Rolf Benirschke and his wife Mary will also receive the award for their incredible contributions to the San Diego community.
“The NU Foundation provides a mechanism to raise funds that help students transform their lives and achieve their dreams,” Dr. Mark D. Milliron, NU president & CEO shared with GB Magazine. “The vast majority of our students are non-traditional, working, and military affiliated. In addition, as ‘ANDers’ – students who also fill many other important roles in their lives – they face challenges more traditional students do not. The Foundation helps them overcome those challenges and reach their goals.”
NU will hold the Foundation Gala on the flight deck of the USS Midway Museum. This year’s event will take place on Friday, September. 12.
The highlight of the event will be honoring the NU Humanitarians of the Year. McAlister, a pioneer in the field of recovery, used her own experiences to build an institute based on empathy and hope, and then dedicated her life to serving those who suffer. Through her vision, and with the help of McAlister Institute’s programs, tens of thousands of individuals have successfully regained their lives.
For decades, Rolf and Mary Benirschke have served as role models for the San Diego region. From Rolf’s status as a local hero during his football career, to the example the couple set in surviving and thriving through health challenges, to their deep and sustained commitment to this community, they stand as exemplary citizens.
National University’s Humanitarian of the Year Award recognizes people who have through their creativity, leadership, and vision made extraordinary contributions to improve their communities, to increase the well-being of the people around them, and to fuel the progress of humanity as a whole.
Funds raised during the Gala will benefit the students of National University through programs such as scholarships, emergency assistance, and student success sciences, which includes innovative pilot programs and the integration of the academic, career, financial, emotional and family support needed to help students stay on track.
National University serves 50,000 degree-seeking students and 80,000 workforce and professional development students every year. Since its founding in 1971 by a former U.S. Navy captain intent on helping members of the military transition to the civilian workforce, more than 250,000 students have graduated from NU, many of whom have gone on to serve in helping industries such as education, health care, cybersecurity, business, and law and criminal justice.
www.nu.edu/nu-foundation-gala
